CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Region 2 has recognized the practitioners of urban and peri-urban agricultural techniques for the macro category recently.
Center Director Claris Alaska said the recognition aims to promote food production at home and in the community and to encourage families and communities to be productive and food self-sufficient.
“The urban and peri-urban gardening is a national agriculture program of our department, which aims to contribute to the food sufficiency and food security agenda of the government,” Alaska said.
Alaska said the winners of the search were the Minerva Farm of Santiago City as the champion, the AMORganic Asosasyon ng MagsaKabataan, Incorporated of Tumauini town as the second placer, and the Mengal Women of Echague as the third place winner.
She said the Minerva Farm will represent the region in the national-level search.
“We will continue promoting the establishment of gardens in all cities and nearby areas within the region because it will inspire urban dwellers to establish their respective gardens,” Alaska said.
The winners received certificates of recognition, project grants, and garden tools.
DA Executive Director Rose Mary Aquino, represented by Roxanne Siuagan, assistant focal person of DA-2, congratulated the winners and expressed her gratitude for the partnership in implementing and promoting urban and peri-urban agricultural practices in the region.
“This regional search is not all about who is the best and who has the most beautiful garden. This also honors your contributions as our partners in promoting food security. Thank you for your active participation and compliance with all the requirements needed,” Siguian said.
She urged all partners to continue their support in promoting the program for the benefit of the families and communities in the region. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)
